Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

June 25, 2025

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about how to properly retire your U.S. flag, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, the Charge Up Fairfax program, the friends of trees awards, the new food and beverage tax and a grant for the Sully Historic Site. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Did you know the average outdoor flag lasts only about 90 days? Flying the stars and stripes outside your home is a great way to showcase pride in our county. But the ever-changing weather and the blasting rays of the sun will inevitably result in a worn-out flag. The United States has a set of laws pertaining to disposal known as the United States Flag Code, or “retiring the flag." If you have an American flag like this, you can properly dispose of it at a few county government locations:

• Government Center: When you walk into the lobby of the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax), you’ll see a flag disposal box located near the main information desk.
• I-66 / I-95 Transfer Stations: Flag disposal boxes are also located at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex and are available during residential hours.

The American Legion will collect flags at these locations and conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony at its site. Additionally, all Fairfax County Police stations accept American flags, and they are collected twice a year by Police Honor Guard for proper disposal. NewsCenter has more on how to properly dispose of your American flag.

 

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s most productive coastal water bodies, and it collects water from county streams and rivers. If you want to help to keep the bay clean, visit the Fairfax County Restoration Project, a public/private partnership made up of private businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies at the state, regional and county level, and individuals concerned with our quality of life. Protecting and preserving the environment for the next generation is very important to the community and a key focus of the Countywide Strategic Plan. The goal is to protect, conserve and sustain environmental resources to promote clean air, water and soil. To confront the challenges posed by climate change, the county will improve the resilience of natural resources and community infrastructure, including our waterways. Don’t be a litter bug! One of the biggest ways everyone can help protect our waterways is to properly dispose of trash including plastic items that are not biodegradable. Plastic pollution and bags in particular clog up local waterways that feed into the Chesapeake Bay. Learn how you can help keep the Chesapeake Bay clean. Search “Protect the Chesapeake Bay” on NewsCenter; fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

 

The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination is excited to announce that the Charge Up Fairfax program is now accepting applications on a rolling basis. The program is designed to help common-interest communities and other organizations install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, improving local air quality and driving us toward a more sustainable future. This year, the program has introduced three key changes:

• Applications are now being accepted continuously, making it easier than ever to participate.
• Reimbursement grant amounts have been increased, offering greater financial support for those looking to install EV charging stations.
• Eligibility has expanded beyond homeowner and condo owner associations to include places of worship and other non-profit organizations, recognizing their critical role in providing EV charging access to staff and guests while attending services or events.

To learn more, search “Charge Up Fairfax” on fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

It’s that time of year! The Fairfax County Tree Commission is announcing that nominations for its 2024-2025 Friends of Trees Awards are now open and will close on July 31. Individuals and organizations may be nominated, or self-nominated, for various tree-related projects or programs that have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions to preserve, protect, or plant trees. Winners will be announced in the fall followed by recognition from the Board of Supervisors and a celebration. Since 1999, the Friends of Trees awards have honored exceptional and innovative tree conservation actions in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Tree Commission is an advisory council to the county’s Board of Supervisors. The commission was chartered on August 1, 1993, and is celebrating 52 years of service to Fairfax County. Tree canopy covers about 55% of the county. The Board of Supervisors relies on this 15-member Commission for advice and support regarding how to maintain, preserve and expand our urban forest. For questions about these Awards, email treecommission@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Effective January 1, 2026, Fairfax County will begin levying tax on the purchase of all prepared food and beverages sold as a meal. The Food and Beverage Tax is 4% of the total cost of food and beverages sold by restaurants, caterers, or other designated establishments defined as a restaurant in the Code of Virginia. The tax is imposed on food and beverages sold as meals by a restaurant, caterer, or other designated establishment within Fairfax County. The tax is collected by the sellers from the customer and is remitted to the county. All funds collected are held in trust for the county until remitted monthly. Registered businesses must file on a monthly basis even if food and beverages were not sold and the tax was not collected. Join the Department of Tax Administration in July and August for an overview on the county’s Food and Beverage Tax and what you need to know to collect the tax beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Following the presentation, county experts will be available to answer your questions. A video of the presentation will be available if you cannot attend the event. Learn more about the tax and meeting dates online at fairfaxcounty.gov/taxes/business/foodandbeverage.

 

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that Sully Historic Site has been awarded a $250,000 VA250 Grant from the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. This funding supports local initiatives that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. The grant will support the preservation, interpretation and accessibility improvements at the site. Sully Historic Site, a National Register of Historic Places, was one of 35 projects awarded statewide, with total grants exceeding $1.9 million. The VA250 grant program is administered by the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Virginia Humanities.

 

Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

 

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.